MAYO MAYHEM GOES OFF!Mayo Mayhem: Sponsored by RWEMayo Mayhem, Irelands premier windsurfing competition, once again lived up to its name and delivered an unforgettable weekend of high winds, big waves and fierce but friendly competition. Malcolm Scott takes us through the highlights of this wild and unforgettable showdown on the water.Words: Malcolm Scott // Photos: Marco Cavalleri & Eugene T. Cunningham.This years event proudly retained its three-star ranking on the PWA / WWT World Tour, attracting a mix of Irelands best alongside top international riders from France, Germany, England, and Sweden. Competitors battled it out across three categories Pro, Amateur and Womens showcasing the full spectrum of windsurfing talent.A Risky Roll-Over Pays OffThe decision to postpone the event proved to be a masterstroke. When the wind and swell arrived on Thursday, early arrivals enjoyed a fun warm-up session at Cross Beach, Belmullet, setting the tone for what was to come.Friday was scheduled to mark the official start of competition, but Storm Amy had other plans. With gusts exceeding 80 knots (150 km/h), conditions were simply too extreme to saileven for the most daring. Veteran PWA head judge Duncan Coombes, with over 45 years of global experience, declared it the strongest wind hed ever witnessed.By late Friday afternoon, as the storm began to ease, around 30 eager windsurfers hit the more sheltered Mulranny Beach for a powerful warm-up session in 50-knot winds and logo-high waves, the perfect prep for Saturdays main event.Competition Day Wind, Waves & Wild RidesSaturday dawned wet and windy, with organizers debating between Mulranny and Keel as the competition site. Both promised side-shore, starboard-tack conditions, but Keels massive surf gave way to Mulrannys more versatile setupa peeling reef wave linking into a beach break. Mulranny as a contest location couldnt be better.It is a safe bay with a beach break for the Ams fleet to jump and riding that links up with a reef that has bigger more powerful performance wave for the pro fleet to show what they can do. It also has loads of parking and a raised viewing area for spectators to enjoy the action.With nearly 50 competitorson the water and colourful sails filling the bay, spectators were treated to a day of spectacular jumps and wave riding. Heats lasted 12 minutes with 3-minute transitions, and riders were scored on their two best jumps and two best waves.Womens FleetThe womens fleet featured six talented riders, competing in a four-round dingle ladder format. The final was an incredibly close battle, but Katie McAnenas vertical, aggressive style secured her the top spot.Results:1st Katie McAnena(Ireland)2nd Milanka Linde(Germany)3rd Taina Postec(France)4th Amy ODonnell(Ireland)Amateur FleetWith previous two-time champion Tom stepping up to the Pro division, the Amateur title was wide open. Strong performances from Ross, Bob, Pav, and Philkept the results uncertain right to the end. Ultimately, Phil Haydenspowerful loops sealed the win, with two young French riders following closely behind.Results:1st Phil Hayden(Ireland)2nd Pierrig Dekerdrel(France)3rd Noe Desmares(France)4th Pav Jankowski(Poland/Ireland)Mikey Clancy Future Pro award Pierrig Dekerdrel(France)K4 Fins best Wave Pierrig Dekerdrel(France)Pro FleetThe Pro division featured 16 of the best ridersready to go all out. Conditions were ideal strong wind, clean waves, and world-class talent. Event favourite Nicolas faced tough competition from past champion Dan Gardner, local star Niall Mellon, and first-time Mayo Mayhem competitor Timo Mullen.The day brought major upsets, with Finn Mellonexiting early and Nicolas falling short of the final. In a thrilling showdown, Dan Kealyopened strong with a standout wave, but Timo Mullensmassive back loop earned him the win and the 2025 Mayo Mayhem Pro title.Timo MullenI am stoked to have won the 2025 Mayo Mayhem event! We had perfect conditions for the contest40 knots side shore and logo high waves from first to last light. I managed to win all my heats during the day to eventually take home the victory in the final! I was joined on the podium by my sister in law Katie McAnena who won the Pro women. Clean sweep for family Mullen! Thanks to all the organizers and judges who made the event a success. They are easily the best team I have ever seen at an event! They maintained the hard balance between efficiency and fun!Thanks also to the photographers Marco Cavalleri, Michael OBrien and Eugene T. Cunningham for their epic pics! I kicked off the final by stepping on a weaver fish which made the heat a tad more painful. Thanks to my sponsors Duotone and ION for all their epic gear! I was using the Ultra Grip Quad 88 all day and the 4.0m Super Hero SLS. The last few years have not been the easiest of my life personally but i have changed my mindset and physical training to adapt to what challenges life throws at you. I missed my Dad a lot this weekend. He would have loved seeing all the craic and myself and Katie taking the win. But he was with me all the way in my heart! I finished the weekend with two more epic days up north sailing with Duncan Coombes, treating him to some NW Ireland gold! Oh yes and the 1000 Euro prize money helped by a few pintswhat an epic weekend!Results:1st Timo Mullen(Northern Ireland , Duotone)2nd Dan Kealy(Ireland, Witchcraft)3rd Julius Byrne(Ireland, Starboard)4th Rob Creane(Ireland, Himself on Severne/Flikka)A Weekend to RememberFrom Storm Amys ferocity to the electric atmosphere on the beach, Mayo Mayhem 2025will be remembered as one of the most thrilling editions yet. Huge thanks go to RWE, the riders, judges, volunteers, and everyone who braved the elements to make it happen.The post MAYO MAYHEM GOES OFF! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.